Expert Care for an Abnormally Thick Heart
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a genetic disorder of the heart that is characterized by an abnormally thickened heart muscle. Rochester Regional Health’s Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center provides comprehensive diagnosis and treatment services for patients with HCM and features the most experienced team in the region.
People with HCM often have the following symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Extra heartbeats
- Chest discomfort
- Feeling faint or passing out
Treatment Options
Medication Management
Most HCM patients can successfully control their symptoms with medications. Our HCM team will help you manage these medications and tailor the treatment plan to your unique goals and health.
Surgical Treatments
When further treatment beyond medical management is needed, we offer septal myectomy (open heart surgery) or Septal Reduction Therapies.
Alcohol Septal Ablation
During alcohol septal ablation, a thin, flexible tube (catheter) with a balloon tip is threaded through the arteries in the leg. The catheter locates the small artery that supplies blood to the abnormal muscle. Using x-rays and echocardiography to help identify the artery, a small amount of alcohol is injected through the balloon and kills the abnormal muscle. The alcohol causes the muscle to shrink and die before forming harmful scar tissue. Obstruction to blood flow is usually relieved within one to six months after the procedure.